White proposes all-day kindergarten in Butler

April 16, 2018News Extra

BUTLER TWP — Butler Superintendent Brian White is proposing the district switch to full-day kindergarten for the 2018-19 school year.

The proposal was introduced at Monday's school board meeting by White, who shared a letter and packet of information outlining his plans that will soon be distributed to teachers and district residents.

A full-day program will allow more students to reach the district's goal of all students being able to read by the end of third grade.

The administration is still working toward presenting a balanced budget for next year, though full-day kindergarten means significant changes in staffing.

White said he anticipates 23 sections of kindergarten with 20 students per class — totaling 460 students. This year the district has about 400 kindergarten students, but White said the full-day program will likely attract families from outside the district.

By eliminating the mid-day bus runs required with half-day kindergarten, the district would save $218,000 in transportation costs, he said.

The administration is proposing reducing the number of elementary reading specialists from 23 to 14 and increasing the number of kindergarten teachers from 12.5 to 23.